Family holidays to Gambia

Why go on holiday to Gambia

Direct flights from UK to Banjul year-round. Flying time 6 hours 30 minutes.
Same time zone as UK, no jet lag and English is first language.
Africa’s smallest mainland country, nicknamed ‘the smiling coast’
Sub-tropical climate with average temperatures of 25 to 27˚C year round.
Warmest and driest between November and March, good for winter sun.
Gambia has two UNESCO World Heritage sites: Kunta Kinteh Island and the Stone Circles of Senegambia.
Several UK tour operators support environmental and community conservation through tourism in The Gambia.

Where to go

The Gambia’s just slightly larger than Jamaica and most of the country’s resorts are on the Atlantic west coast. Arranging day trips or longer stays in the interior is very doable from a beach base and a growing number of UK travel companies have a choice of multi-centre holidays in The Gambia tailored for families with older kids and teenagers.

Albert Market, Banjul
The daily market in the centre of Banjul is sprawling, vivid and exciting. Everything from fruit and vegetables to local crafts, textiles, clothes, shoes and ‘stuff’ is for sale here. Put aside at least two hours for a real root around. Bartering’s expected and the market’s chop-shops and fresh juice stalls are a bit of a legend.

Kachikally Crocodile Pool & Museum, Bakau
Crocodiles are Gambian symbols of fertility and women trying to conceive bathe and pray at this sacred site – the number of Gambian kids called ‘Kachikally’ are testimony to the pool’s powers. It’s a popular attraction with visitors too, but mainly for the 78 (almost tame) Nile Crocodiles and the museum of musical instruments.

Gambia River National Park
A guided boat safari in Gambia River National Park’s a rare chance to see endangered hippos and less threatened Green Vervet monkeys, Guinea baboons, aardvark, bushbuck and dozens of amazing bird species.
Tanji Fishing Village
Visit Tanji in the afternoon as the fishing pirogues return to shore and women form long lines on the beach to pass the day’s catch up to the local Bonga smoke-houses. It’s loud, messy, gregarious and an astonishing spectacle to watch. The village is less than an hour’s drive south of Banjul.

Bijilo Forest Park, Kololi
This 51ha park is close to the beach resorts in the south of Kololi and a protected environment for several monkey species including the endangered Green Monkey.

Kunta Kinteh Island, from Albreda
First discovered by the Portuguese in the 15^th century, this tiny island has been part of Germany’s medieval Hanseatic League, a 17^th century British slaving station (the first British colony in Africa), an 18^th century French slaving post and a focal point for British abolitionists in the mid-19^th century. It’s now a World Heritage site and part of a poignant and fascinating tour which includes the historic village of Juffure.

Makasutu Cultural Forest, Mandina Bolong
Award winning Makasutu is a must-do visit in The Gambia. The protected forests was first established as a conservation area in 1992 and has close ties to the UK’s Eden Project. A day’s expedition is an unforgettable experience. The forest also has a variety of stunning eco-lodges on the River Gambia.

Fathala Game Park, Senegal
Just 12km over The Gambia/Senegal border, a jeep safari in Fathala Game Park is an opportunity for close encounters with zebra, rhinoceros, buffalo, giraffes, monkeys and many other wild, West African native species.

Tanji Village Museum
The Gambia’s first privately owned museum is more like a small heritage village. Friendly, hands-on and great fun for older kids.

Tanji Bird Reserve
Half-an-hour from Kololi, this 612ha protected reserve is home to over 259 species of birds.

Educational value for kids

Music and dancing play an important role in Gambian life and almost everything from wrestling bouts to local football matches involves traditional performance too.
Go on a ‘catch and release’ creek fishing day from Denton Bridge in Gambian pirogues.
Spend the day at Ya Boye home cooking centre in Tanji village, go shopping in the local market for ingredients and learn to cook a traditional Gambian meal.
Spend an afternoon in bustling Serrekunda and drop in on the local Batik and Tie-Dye factory.

Browse the National Museum of Banjul to find out more about the customs, culture and chequered history of The Gambia.
Visit Fort Bullen and discover the story of 19^th British abolitionism in The Gambia.
Find out about mini-tours to local schools, football training, village workshops, gardens and farms – operators like The Gambian Experience support community conservation through tourism.

Getting around with kids in Gambia

The Gambia is surprisingly accessible and exploring beyond the coast into the remarkable interior’s a great adventure. But, car hire’s expensive and the country’s road network isn’t great. The best way to get around with kids is to book mini-tours, cruises and expeditions with recommended local or UK operators. Alternatively, almost all resorts can arrange private jeep and driver hire for families – much more cost-effective and less stressful than self-drive.